Not as strong as At Fulsom, but can listen to it top to bottom. Would love to check out the film and full set list.
Boy Named Sue
Beautiful orchestration. Great for a relaxing afternoon walk. I agree that entire album blends from song to song, and while that leaves little room for stand out tracks, it makes for a pleasant straight through listen.
One of These Things First
The vibes off this album are immaculate. Can just put this on and feel. I'm always impressed with quality sampling technique.
I didn't realize how many hits I knew came from this album alone. Regular radio rotation in the 80s introduced me to the artist, but I never connected that all these songs came prepackaged.
That said, I don't feel an attachment to this as an album. The songs are great, but I'll probably pull up individual tracks when I want rather than play this top to bottom.
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Time After Time
She Bop
All Through the Night
This album makes me nostalgic for a time and place that I wasn't a part of. Outside of a few singles I'd never really listened to Patti Smith until I moved to NYC nearly two decades ago. It was reading Just Kids that turned me onto her use of words, clashing poetry and prose, to really paint a picture.
This album feels a bit like that as well. Poetry and Punk smashing into each other and mixing and finding a balance.
It reminds me of the art my friends and I make in dingy basements around the city. It's about finding yourself and community by sharing whatever is inside.
Gloria: In Excelsis Deo
A few standout tracks, including some that had a lot of radio play where I was living when this album came out.
There are a few tracks that almost dip into the sounds that would eventually be Gorillaz. And the occasional off the wall song that just don't fit in. They intrigue me. But so much of the rest was a wash.
Girls & Boys
Parklife
Strangely, I think the East Coast/West Coast rap rivalry kept me away from this solo album. Enjoyable listen. I do like hearing Method Man outside of Wu-Tang.
Half the songs are covers. Most of the originals have become classics, and I think highly of them.
For an album experience I would love just Beatles songs.
Poetry and Protest; I can hear the Woody Guthrie influence throughout. Truly a great listen.
Blowin’ in the Wind
Girl from the North Country
A Hard Rains A-Gonna Fall
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
I don't think I've ever felt betrayed by an artist when they tried something new with their sound. Either I accepted it, or moved on. Reading about the pushback the Dylan recieved for going electric is crazy to me. The second part of this set where he brings in the rock aspect over the folk isn't jarring, it's just growing.
Without this being what I classify as one of my favorite bands--and having never owned this album--somehow I'm familiar with nearly every song. And I love them all. The tracks I wasn't familiar with are going to get added to my rotation to see if they become as beloved as the rest.
Take a Bow
Starlight
Supermassive Black Hole
Map of the Problematique
Invincible
Assassin
Exo-Politics
Knights of Cydonia
Outside of a few tracks I've never heard any of this album. And yet, I've heard this all before. I'm not hearing the "new sound" that initial reviews are so excited for. And whatever the "grunge had died with Kurt Cobain" from JK in 1001 sentiment is crazy. Maybe he was right that the musical landscape in the UK was "barren." I know Oasis despite (or because of) the turbulent relationship of the Gallagher brothers can crank out some hits. I'm just not hearing it yet.
Live Forever
Married With Children
Huge improvement over their debut. It helped to have them back to back for my listening education.
Finally finding a sound that stands out. Some great hits. And the songs I wasn’t familiar with all still have a charm.
Wonderwall
Don’t Look Back in Anger
She’s Electric
Morning Glory
Champagne Supernova
Prince is so gifted, but this album and its experimentation misses for me. The synths too often stand out as harsh against the smoothness of the funk and r&b that grounds the sound. Others are just too long without a significant structural change.
There are definitely some tracks I wasn't familiar with that I'll be adding to my personal roster. And something tells me that this album will likely grow on me with repeated listens.
1999
Litte Red Corvette
Satirizing mainstream counter-culture and those holding onto conservative values all while showcasing a massive skillset, the album is amazing. It is painting a picture of the sixties in vibrant soundscapes.
I've heard something new on each listen. And the flow of the musical narrative keeps me listening from start to finish. I will need to revisit this one time and again.
Blues and Rock truly melding.
Good Times Bad Times
Dazed and Confused
Communication Breakdown
Well, that was pleasant.
I like the final instrumental of Last Orders.
Redefining his personal sound, redefining pop music as a whole, redefining marketing and promotion. The only thing this album can't do is make me like the skit with Paul McCartney in place of a real outro on The Girl Is Mine.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Thriller
Beat It
Billy Jean
Human Nature
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
ABBA can put together an album, and this one has its share of hits. The other tracks are enjoyable, but not as remarkable.
Dancing Queen
Knowing Me, Knowing You
Money, Money, Money
Fernando
The start of the G-Gunk Era. The hits really show off Dre's style and where he was taking rap.
I'm only really familiar with the singles, although it felt like everyone owned this album at the time. The interim skits take me out of the flow.
Fuck Wit Dre Day
Let Me Ride
Nuthin' But A "G" Thang
Bitches Ain't Shit
Great soundtrack for a gray day.
This one has grown on my with subsequent listens. At first it was just lo-fi sad boy music, which is a genre I enjoy, but nothing really stood out. Taking a little more time with the lyrics is what sold me on this album.
Adding to my rotation.
This album is asking you to lean in and listen. From the first moments on, barely audible, forcing one to crank the volume or miss out. I nearly did.
These guys play a tight quartet. There isn't a wasted note or moment. The story telling is fantastic.
Sultans of Swing
This is a Temptations I haven't heard before. Coming in strong from the start with a new funk vibe that compliments their harmonies and new songs quite well. It even gives new life to Heard It Through The Grapevine.
I'm sure Berry Gordy lost his mind when he first heard these tracks.
Eventually the album slides into a more familiar and comfortable Motown sound with only the occasional funk embellishment.
Layers upon layers in this album. With all the blended samples, at times dense and referential lyrics, and many songs not featuring consistent hooks it's easy to get overwhelmed. To catch everything would take going line by line. I can visualize it as a stereographic image: either you see the schooner or you get a migraine.
That's also what it makes it an enjoyable listen. So much more depth than their earlier work. More risks were taken. There is more to discover.
Summed up in their own lyrics:
"The music washes over
and you're one with the sound."
"Expressing my
aggressions through my
schizophrenic verse words"
Hey Ladies
Shadrach
The flow is so smooth, the tales are heartfelt, and the beats fit just right.
Dear Mama
Hauntingly beautiful.
Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair
I want to sit in the back of a bar and have this entire album played while my friends and I reminisce about the past and plan for the future.
These tracks are joyous and fun. I love the inventive samples and hooks created with them.
They are also too long for my taste. With only the shortest track at just under four minutes, and many in excess of six, I find myself really hyped at the start of every new song because I'd started to check out with the repetition of the previous.
When I have the album playing in the background I'm digging on it.
The Rockafeller Skank
Praise You
In college there was only really one place to get coffee in town, a Starbucks. This album sounds like one of the CDs they would be selling at the counter.
There is nothing wrong with this album. There also doesn't appear to be anything outright special about it either.
"Now I'm in the limelight
'cause I rhyme tight"
For a debut album, this is a hell of piece of work. Solid flow, great use of beats, all coming together to tell Biggy's life story.
One More Chance
Juicy
Big Poppa
These sounds shouldn't work together, and yet they do.
It’s a kaleidoscope of styles creating a beautiful album.
The historical and cultural significance of this album had more of an impact on me than the album itself. Ray Charles put together and amazing team and a beautiful album. It was wonderful to listen to, but I don't see myself revisiting it often.
Stellar album. The story telling blends with beautifully orchestrated world instruments and sounds.
The Boy In the Bubble
Graceland
I Know What I Know
Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes
You Can Call Me Al
Under African Skies
The title track has been in my ears for as long as I can remember. And I haven’t heard any of these other songs on this album.
I’ve grown quite fond of “Jennifer” after only a few listens! But the rest, while perfectly fine, sound like any other New Wave track.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
Every song is drowning in filters, effects, and reverb. All this work was put in to making an album where every track sounds the same as the last.
Not being able discern the lyrics I looked them up and discovered further disappointment. When there's a narrative it's juvenile at best. Most of the lyrics are nonsensical. I can look past that when an artist creates imagery, but there was none to be found.
The rhyme scheme, when one is even attempted, is banal. To make up for a lack in the writing the songs are a collage of repeated phrases and words in one line followed by a lyric so crammed with syllables that the words mush together in the next.
I was pleasantly surprised when halfway through the album I checked on the track listing and realized I'd already made it through the original album release and could put this one away.
Brazilian Bossa Nova.
Well constructed songs with beautiful music and vocals.
Great for background at a cocktail party, but it isn't going to be a regular listen for me.
By definition a true Alternative album. Is it rock, pop, techno? Yes.
Dark brooding lyrics and sounds that weave between songs. At times it make me want to light candles and reapply black nail polish. Then I want to hit a club and dance until I don't feel feelings anymore.
This is right in the sweet spot of high school nostalgia.
Supervixen
Queer
Only Happy When It Rains
Stupid Girl
"Proud of the glory, stare down the shame
Duality of the southern thing"
Some good ol' Southern Rock balancing a nuanced view of the history and culture it comes from.
As a concept rock opera it lacks range. There are a few stand-out tracks. However, much of the album sounds similar and it could benefit from more variety. I don't dislike a single song but I doubt I'll be listening to the entire opera as a whole again.
Every review and comment I came across compared this band to others that I really enjoy. They've included Radiohead, Beck, even Wilco. I can only hear a hint of those sounds in this album.
Most of those reviews also really dig heavily into Beta Band's other albums and the wild experimental sounds they came up mixing sampling, folk, and more. They often name this album as the "accessible" sound. To me it sounds watered down. I guess I'll have to listen to their other work to find out who they really are.
Like nearly every kid in high school in the late 90s I owned and played this album consistently.
Stepping out of grunge and leading the way into female lead alternative rock, this album hits all the marks.
Glen Ballard's partnership on song writing and production really showcase Alanis Morissette's range. At times raging and powerful and at other sensitive, but always strong.
The lyrics tell clear, strong stories. The light moments are uplifting and fun. The dark moments bring out the teen angst and anger I still feel decades later.
Zero regrets on buying this CD when it came out. I would burn singles off this and give it to a crush tomorrow.
Note: At the end of my listening notes/review I list for myself the tracks I was already familiar with. This is limited to the specific release of a track, so live albums may have songs I know but would not consider myself familiar with that rendition. Familiar for me doesn't even mean I could sing every lyric, name the song, etc. but it clicks in my brain. I know that song.
For this album: Every damn song.
This is an arena rock show crammed onto a studio album. The songs have amazing hooks and high energy throughout. Of course the singles are the strongest examples of Bon Jovi's charm. While the other tracks lack that special something, they're not far off.
You Give Love A Bad Name
Livin' On A Prayer
Wanted Dead Or Alive
This album just isn't for me. Maybe drum and bass isn't my style. The whole thing became energetic background music.
A solid alternative rock album that was a clear jumping off point for so many other artists. The cleaner production style to earlier Pixie's albums works especially well in the singles.
The "loud/quiet/loud" style is something I've enjoyed, and I'm happy to have a name for it now. Such a simple and effective way to add dynamics to a song.
Here Comes Your Man
Monkey Gone To Heaven
Hey
I loved this so much more than I thought I would. I think my favorite thing about this album is that I can't nail down what exactly is working for me. But something is definitely working for me.
Without planning it, I spent the rest of my day and into the evening listening to jazz. I revisited this album a handful of times over those hours. It just keeps giving.
Thoroughly enjoyable. However, it didn't rock me back. Solid 60s rock and experimentation brought to us by some great musicians.
Clearly Neil Young and Stephen Stills are talented, and their friendly rivalries pushed them to record some great songs. I even enjoyed Furay's contributions.
This one will have to grow on me.
Full transparency, I'm having trouble separating the art from the artist on this one.
I was familiar with the singles. They were heavy on radio rotation for a time. Fun but dumb songs. That was what I always assumed a Kid Rock album would be, but I never felt the desire to listen on my own.
Honestly, the music itself isn't terrible. Some good samples blended with decent beats and serviceable guitar work.
The lyrics and content though are so sophomoric. Kid Rock wants to present himself as a trashy asshole and he is succeeding. Yet, he constantly contradicts this self-image: he only has eyes for one woman, and all his hoes; he's the pimp with all the riches, and only gets paid nickels; the ultimate poor country redneck that struggled and made his own way when his real life background includes being raised on a property with it's own apple orchard and horses.
The imagery is repetitive, misogynistic, and generally what a middle school bully would spout while trying to sound hard.
Bawitdaba
Cowboy
There is something about Stipe's voice, a plaintive whine, that sells whatever song he's on. I'm also a sucker for a mandolin.
This album didn't surprise me on the first listen. I'm a little sad about that. Definitely some tracks I'll be coming back to. Overall a well put together alternative rock album when alternative rock was still in it's infancy.
Pop Song 89
Stand
Orange Crush
This album is just cool. Plenty of tracks make me want to get up and party. It's like a fun Friday night out at Pyramid from my early years in NYC.
Heads Will Roll
Not something I like to admit, but maybe I just don't "get" this album.
I haven't particularly enjoyed it, but I'm not upset.
When I think of once-in-generation-voices Adele is on that list. My first exposure was a free download on iTunes a million years ago. She hasn't disappointed yet.
At times I thought this album was going to drag and then almost immediately a key change or something would happen and I was right back in.
She's not my usual listen but I cannot deny those pipes.
Hello
Send My Love
Water Under The Bridge
All I Ask
This is how to make a modern day concept album. It's camouflaging elevated artistic philosophies and avant garde orchestration as relatable lyrics and pop hits.
Suite II is, on vibes alone, so upbeat and danceable that it's easy to overlook the thematic elements being introduced. Suite III adds a nuanced depth and stretches the musical landscape to cover the larger story being told.
Tightrope
There might be more to get out of this album if I were on the same drugs as when they were recorded.
I truly enjoyed the music. The early flow from track to track to establish the feeling of being on a journey, as were the unexpected musical and stylistic changes that created speed bumps in the road.
Where I was most thrown off was the transition into covers. All were well done, but I changed gears enough to forget the rest of the album. I doubt that was the intent.
High energy, easy listen.
What an album.
There’s this little dive in my neighborhood. It’s filled with artists and locals and degenerates and punk rockers holding on from the 70s. And the classic jukebox reflected that. And yet, from time to time someone would put on the entirety of Kind Of Blue and the mood in the dingy place shifted. At times someone would complain. They would always be educated or escorted out.
After hours on a rainy night with a favorite bartender. That’s what this is.
This album just didn't come up on the right day for me. I'm not upset by any of the music, but I'm also not really hearing it.
Trying to describe it a friend I played a few minutes from different songs and appreciated them more than when I was listening straight through. And I can't tell if that's a reflection on me at this moment or on how the entire album is.
For the time being, it's not right for me. I believe it will grow on me. I'll come back to it on another day and see what's changed.
Punk rock and poetry. Most punk I've experienced is really lacking on the lyricism. Not this album. Although, in classic punk rock style, its often a challenge to actually hear the lyrics.
Jamming in a garage with my friends. That's what this reminds me of. The joy and freedom.
It was probably more fun to play than to listen to.
I like the overall vibe of this album, but I'm didn't find myself attached to much of it.
For a band so messy, this is a surprisingly clean and well constructed album.
Around The World
Scar Tissue
Otherside
Californication
This is some great punk rock. It's barely controlled chaos.
I'm glad it was pointed out to me check out the lyrics. Otherwise I would zero idea what I was missing.
I wonder if I had ever seen them live if I would feel the same way.
This is a group of talented musicians having fun together. Every song is solid. I like that the styles vary and yet they all still blend well enough into a album.
At the same time, none of them stick out to me as something I need to hear ever again.
This album might be the closest I'll ever get to experiencing the Summer of Love.
I dig the sound. But it's the singles that really blow me away. Most of that comes from the powerful vocals from Grace Slick. The other vocals on the album feel diluted in comparison.
Somebody To Love
White Rabbit
I’ve heard plenty of radio play over the years, but this is my first listen through of an Amy Winehouse record.
Without being able to describe how or why I can definitely agree that she has an it factor.
Maybe it’s the voice. Maybe it’s the arrangements. Whatever it is, it works.
It's a cool experience to hear one of the transitions of blues to rock to heavy metal.
Outside of the historical context, it's also a great rock album. Gritty enough to played in basement club covered in band flyers and graffiti but paired with piercingly clear vocals.
This is such a beautiful album. All of it: harmonies, arrangements, poetry. Even the damn cover art is pleasant.
This could have crossed the line from sweet to saccharine, but there’s the right amount of melancholy and longing to keep it heartfelt and true.
Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Homeward Bound
The 59th Street Bridge
Swan song from quite the artist. I've always thought of Cohen as more of a poet than a singer. This album is no different. Dark tones and subtle humor as he reflects on his final days.
Tight harmonics, catchy beats, and inventive sounds.
This album is so much fun to listen to.
What a trio. Although my favorite tracks are always fronted by Lauren Hill. This whole album is a balance again the gangsta rap that was dominating my High School
Ready Or Not
Fu-Gee-La
Killing Me Softly with His Song
No Woman, No Cry
I think I’ve only heard Arctic Monkeys mixed in with pop radio. For whatever reason I associated them with a brighter, happier tone. This is sadder album that maintains its momentum through sheer force of will, and some driving beats.
The composition is solid and it left me wanting to know more about the band. I’ll have to give this one a few relistens.
Keep The Car Running
Intervention
No Cars Go
I bet going to this show was a blast. I'm not connecting to it. Some splashes that grabbed my attention, but not enough of them. The history and how controversial this release was surprised me. It feels middle of the road.
Truly iconic voice at the end of her life.
Hugely influential and instantly recognizable.
Never owned the album myself, but I've heard every track many times. And I think the entire album as a whole more than once as well.
45 minutes of sweet nothings being whispered in my ear... Did I just fall in love with Norah Jones?
Soulful, sultry vocals over beautiful arrangements. This album reminds me of what it feels like when you first start falling for someone.
Don't Know Why
Maybe this would be better as a film, because as a concept album I wasn't following the narrative at all.
Outside of it being a concept album, the lyrics and music don't readily blend. Much of it is too long and too far out there for my taste.
This is almost like the entire 80s sound distilled down to one album. Which is crazy considering it came out at the start of the 80s. These guys clearly had their finger on the pulse.
This is some disco I can get behind. It has funky riffs and danceable beats.
Thinking of You
We Are Family
If it weren’t for her voice and maybe a few lyrics, I wouldn’t classify this is country as all. This is just pop. It doesn’t even have jangly guitars!
More more of a jazz influence than I was lead to belief by the only single I knew from this album. Definitely still has that 90s angst to it, but I found it much more low key and relaxing than I expected.
Criminal
While not a true concept album, this one definitely benefits from a top to bottom listen through. Themes and tone are consistent throughout.
The overall vibe of hope surrounded by love and loss hits the spot.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
Do You Realize?
Wow, this is not the beach day pop that comes to mind when I think of the Go-Go's.
The punk influence really holds the album together. The girl pop vocals layered and harmonized on top create a wonderful contrast in their sound.
Our Lips Are Sealed
We Got The Beat
I like the general sound of this album. I do wish it was more dynamic. The songs that really hit for me had more range and made a change from the other tracks. Every song contains the same elements, which unifies the album, but also allowed a lot of the songs to blend together.
Stellar
Drive
Pardon Me
I found this really pleasant to listen to.
This is what I think of when I think of U2. It's the sound I grew up with. All existing in a time before the iTunes debacle.
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
With Or Without You
Bullet The Blue Sky
In God’s Country
I'm finding this to be really helpful background music while I let my mind do other things. It has the right balance of forward momentum to not let me completely zone out and repetition to allow for just that.
I keep coming back to Grateful Dead to give them another chance. I think it's a talented enough group, with good stories and great vibe. And I just can't connect to them.
Ripple
This is what I’m looking for on this list. Never heard of the artist, but from the very first song, the depth of the sound and lyrics had me hooked.
I liked it. Didn't love it.
